[4/5] When a band lead off their debut album's liner notes by thanking Jesus, you can either giggle or appreciate the honesty; and with The Story And The Song, two-year-old Orlando, Florida, quintet Between The Trees craft a rich, uplifting and melodious set of missionary emo-pop that's as much about Him as it is about "her." From the infectious strains of "The Forward," in which the depression-stricken female lead is introduced, to the gorgeous jangle of "You Cry A Tear To Start Another River," in which said river becomes that female's baptism metaphor, BTT use their preternaturally remarkable musical skills to heal as much as they do to rock out. While it's a little curious that any band of nobodies with an average age below 20 could soar out of the gate so strongly, with such a powerhouse team (Shinedown producer Pete Thornton and Grammy-winning mixer Ted Jensen) in their corner, those details could just as well give bands living on the wrong side of good more reason to behave. (BONDED) Aaron Burgess
 Official Website: http://www.bondedrecords.com
|
